Threshers Pitching Grounds Flying Tigers

Matt Spencer celebrates after what would prove to be the game winning home run.

The Clearwater Threshers came out on Friday night after being shut out for the first time this season on Thursday looking for some retribution. Antonio Bastardo took the hill for the team, and for five innings he held the Lakeland Flying Tigers on the runway never able to take off. He picked up ten Ks and allowed just three hits and three walks over that period.
Meanwhile Matt Spencer picked up his first home run of the year in the second inning to get the Threshers out on top 1-0.
Bastardo was lifted after five with Brett Harker coming in out of the bullpen in relief. Harker gave up just one hit with three Ks but lasted only 1.1 innings leaving the game abruptly with a back strain in the seventh inning. Matt German came on to replace Harker, and he picked up where the pitchers before him had left off. Matt would go 2.1 innings fanning five and giving up no hits and no walks taking the game to within one out of completion.
Brian Schlitter would come on to replace Matt German and record the final out on a deep fly ball to left field. It was only fitting that the game would end with Matt Spencer the hero of the night making a dramatic diving catch to end the game.
For his first home run of the year, and the Threshers only run of the game, plus his terrific diving catch to end the game Matt Spencer the
SCHMIDT LIST player of the game award.
Kudos have also got to go out to the all the pitchers in tonight’s game as well. The staff recorded 18 strikeouts in the game, including 10 by starter Antonio Bastardo.